Baptismal balance



July 22, 19.58 R. D. HEBARD BAPTISMAL BALANCE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June I 6, 1955 FIG. 1.

July 22, 1958 I R. D. HEBARD 2,844,155

BAPTISMAL BALANCE Filed June 6, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3.

United States Patent O 2 Claims. (Cl. 134157) This invention relates to an aid for administrating the rites of baptism. This invention further relates to an improved method of baptism.

Many Christian churches receive new members by means of the rites of baptism which usually consist of immersion under water of the candidate by movement of the body and head backwards by the minister or the one administering the rites of baptism until the candidate is totally immersed. In certain cases when the candidate is large and the minister small, or vice versa, difficulty in the baptismal rites result. This is particularly true with a candidate or minister who may be slightly ill. Women ministers experience difliculty in baptizing men larger than themselves since the man usually attempts to aid in the rites resulting in perhaps both struggling to consummate the rites. Many persons strangle and become panicky. Children who are afraid of water cause considerable annoyance to the minister during the baptismal rites.

It is the object of this invention to provide a device which will give the candidate being baptized a feeling of security as well as aid the minister in the immersion and lifting process during the baptismal rites. If need be, the minister can enlist the aid of a second person unseen by the congregation, to aid in administering the rites of baptism. It is a further object to provide a device having an adjustable body carriage to properly position the person being baptized when viewed by the congregation. It is a further object to provide a device which has adjustable Weights, floats or other buoyance devices to insure ease of operation of same during the baptismal rites. Springs may be provided at dilferent points in place of the weights or buoyance devices to insure ease of operation. It is an object of this invention to provide a baptismal balance adjustable so as to accommodate persons of different heights.

These and other objects will become apparent to one skilled in the art by a study of the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification wherein:

Figure 1 represents a view of the baptismal balance with the body carriage tilted.

Figure 2 shows a sectional view of Figure 1 made along the lines of 2--2, with sections broken away and the foot platform in the upmost position.

Figure 3 is a simplified embodiment of my invention.

Figure 4 is a broken cross sectional view of a church including the pulpit, choir area back of the pulpit, and the baptistry showing my invention therein.

Referring to the drawing and particularly to Figure l, the baptismal balance is shown as having a support or fulcrum 1 made of tubular material. The tubular material is preferably stainless steel but galvanized one-half inch inside diameter pipe has been used successfully. Clearly any type of material such as angle iron, plastic rails, etc., may be used to form.the supporting elements of this invention. Two tubes 2 and 3 approximately five feet in length were welded or otherwise firmly attached to Patented July 22, 1958 "ice two cross members 6 and 4, all of the same material. The spacing betweenthe centers of 2 and 3 was approximately 21 inches. The entire baptismal balance is preferably made of one-half inch inside diameter material, except where specified. Two upright members 11 and 13 are welded to the centers of 2 and 3 and making right angles thereto. Brace members 7 and 8 are welded to the end of 13 opposite 2 and to 2 forming an isosceles triangle. Tubes 16 and 14 give further bracing and support to this triangle at the point where cross piece 26 joins 13. Upright 11 is braced by means of 9, the brace opposite 9 similar to 8 being omitted to allow ease of operation and entrance and exit of the candidate for baptism. This device has been found strong enough for service with the additional brace omitted. The uppermost ends of 11 and 13 are joined by welded or threadand-nut cross tube 17, to which hinge tubes 18 and 19 are welded. Clearly, other means can be used to connect these joints, such as pins, thread-and-nuts, or slip joints which will enable the device to be portably dismantled for shipping purposes. The height of tube 17 above the baptismal tank floor has been found to best beapproximately 26 inches.

Tube-22 passes through hinge tubes 18 and 19 and preferably extends beyond 1 a distance of two or three feet to form the attachment for a crank arm 23. Clearly, the extension of 22 and crank 23 may be omitted and in some instances this is desirable when the services of an aid or second person is not desired in performing the baptismal service or rites.

Body carriage is designated generally as 21, is secured, preferably by welding to tube 22, and rotates therewith. Body carriage 21 consists of two longitudinal members 29 to which is welded cross members 24 and 5. Cross member 24 may be formed of the same tube making up members 29 by bending one long continuous tube equal to their combined lengths. Netting 32 of metal, cloth, plastic, or the like is placed over the frame work formed by 29, 24, 5 and serve to support the candidate. The distance between the two members 29 is preferably 17 inches. Members 29 may be curved to conform to the curvature of the candidates back.

Slidably attached by two tubes 43 around members 29 is a foot platform 39. The foot platform 39 of wood or metal is adjustable by means of a chain or the like 33 attached thereto and to a curved-upward pin 34 secured to 24. Other means are available for attaching the chain to 24. This feature permits the person administering the baptismal services to adjust the platform to the proper height as the candidate approaches the minister. It can readily be appreciated that a tall candidate will require that the foot platform be placed at its lowest level while a small child will require it being placed at its uppermost position. Seven inches of movement of the platform 39 up and down have been found satisfactory for most candidates.

A toe guard 41 of metal, plastic, or the like positioned across the outer end of the foot platform 39 is used to give security to the candidate when this device is put in use. Toe guard 41 is welded or attached with screws to the frame of the foot platform 39. Shown in Figure 1 on the bottom platform 39 are balance weights 38 which are removable. To properly balance the body carriage the balance weights may be removed or replaced. Obviously, it will be appreciated that that part of ones body below the surface of the water will be buoyed upward by the weight of the water displaced. It is for this reason that balance weights 38, or spring (see Figures 2 and 3) be used.

The lower ends of tubes 29 may have stop caps placed thereon or extensions to stop the movement of the foot platform 39 downward. The maximum length of the chain 33, the upper end of which is attached to 24 by means of 34, will limit the movement downward of foot platform 39 as well as the stops.

An additional safety feature is provided in chains or flexible connection 36-between fulcrum and body carriage 21 which limits the rotational movement of the body carriage during the baptismal services. Tube 26, positioned between 13 and 11 limits the movement of body carriage 21 to a vertical position. It is clear that other rotational limiting Stops might be used to carry out the invention and those shown are for illustrative purposes.

Figure 2 shows a broken away cross sectional view of Figure 1 made along the line 2-2, with like numerals being used in both figures where applicable. The rotational limiting chain 36 is shown attached to tube 3 and foot platform 39. The balance weights 38 are shown attached by screws to the *bottom of 39. The balance spring 64 is shown attached between 3 and the bottom of tube 29 at the capped end. It is obvious that either or both the balance weights 38 or spring 64 may be used as desired.

The foot platform adjusting means shown as chain 33 is clearly shown attached to foot plat-form slide tube 43 and to 24 by means of upwardly extending peg 34.

Figure 3 shows a simplified modification of my invention with like numerals being used where possible. The crank means 23 and rotational shaft 22 are not shown in Figure 3. metal loops hinges which wrap around tube 17 to form the hinge means which permit rotation of 21. The hinge loops are welded to the 29 of body carriage 21. In use of the modification the 'one administering the baptism, after positioning the candidate in place in the carriage, merely rotates the candidate and carriage together. This device thus reduces the strain and load on the administrator since now for the first time use is made of the buoyance forces of the water on the body to bring about rotation of the same about an axis during the baptismal rites.

Figure 4 shows one modification of my invention within a broken away cross section of a church. In this particular installation the aid B, used in administering the rites with the minister A, cannot be seen by the congregation in 53, because of the curtain or picture 59. The baptismal tank designated as 51 has steps 62 by which the candidate enters. 61 and 57 designate sides of the tank. 58 is a glass member mounted upon side 57. The choir is seated in the area designated as 52 containing seats 56. The lecturer 54 is positioned ahead of area 52. From this figure it can readily be seen that no one in the con gregation can see the baptismal balance described here nor the aid B to the administrator A. In baptistries not having the picture or curtain 59 the crank 23 can be dispensed with and the modification of Figure 3 used. The modification of Figure 1 may be used with the aid of B clearly visible to the congregation if so desired. Figure 4 is shown to illustrate the application of my invention.

In actual operation the balance weights 38 or spring 64 will tend to keep the candidates feet, legs, and body from causing'rotation initially. Once the candidate'is in place the administrator gently pushes backward on the The body carriage 21 is merely attached by 1 The administrator lifts no appreciable weight and there-- fore has no chance of creating excitement or panic in the candidate. In use of my invention with adults as well asv children no difiiculty has been experienced and it is anticipated that others may adapt my invention and method for routine baptismal rites.

While the disclosure has been restricted to a few embodiments, it is evident to those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made in the elements and arrangement of parts without deviating from the nature and scope of the invention. For example, other, means than a crank could be used for rotating the body carriage. A hidden electrical motor may be suitable, positioned and operated by a secret button relieving the administrator of any efiort whatsoever in administering baptismal rites.

I claim:

1. In a baptismal balance the combination of a fulcrum base consisting of two parallel members resting on the floor of a baptismal tank containing water, said fulcrum base having bracing cross members and fulcrum supports mounted generally at right angles to said parallel members, a hinged body carriage rotatably attached to the supported fulcrum secured to said fulcrum supports, said body carriage having a pair of upright parallel members longer than a pair of parallel cross members to all of which are attached netting for support of a candidate for baptism, said body carriage having an adjustable foot platform mounting a toe guard at said carriages lower extremity, said platform being securely attached to the lower end of an adjusting means which extends to the uppermost portion of said body carriage for movement of said platform parallel to said upright parallel members, said fulcrum base mounting rotational stops for limiting the rotation of said body carriage in opposite directions and manual means aided by buoyance forces of said water in said baptismal tank acting'on said candidate and said baptismal balance for rotating that portion of said candidate and said baptismal balanceextending below the surface of said water upwardly.

2. The combination with claim 1 wherein said manual means for rotating said body carriage is a crank attached thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 557,385 Hay Mar. 31, 1896 654,973 Haeckel July 31, 1900 1,082,043 Payne et al. Dec. 23, 1913 1,586,254 Lovejoy May 25, 1926 1,710,475 Gallowitz Apr. 23, 1929 1,758,071 Bluestein May 13, 1930 1,925,425 Wilent Sept. 5, 1933 2,283,475 Wagner May 19, 1942 2,385,150 Miller Sept. 18, 1945 2,465,781 Banta Mar. 29, 1949 2,566,351 Meuler Sept. 4, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 15,239 Great Britain of 1905 28,811 Great Britain of 1906 

